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Dow Jones Business News
Ford Says Crown Victoria Police Car Is Safe
Tuesday December 9, 1:49 pm ET
By Ann Keeton, Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES


CHICAGO (Dow Jones)--Despite continuing allegations to the contrary, Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F - News) believes its Crown Victoria Police Interceptor, the car used by 85% of all U.S. police officers, is safe.

The Detroit Free Press, investigating high-speed crashes involving the Crown Victoria, reported Tuesday that some police departments have added their own safety features after Ford dragged its feet on making modifications to the vehicle, following a number of fatal crashes.

Ford has acknowledged that at least 18 police officers have died since 1992 when their Crown Victoria cars caught fire after being hit from behind at very high speeds.

Since October 2002, Ford has offered a Police Package Upgrade Kit to safeguard against fuel tank punctures for the 350,000 vehicles on the road, and has added gas tank shields to new police model Crown Victorias.

Ford spokeswoman Kristen Kinley said that police vehicles face special problems.

"It would be unreasonable to think that any design or technology could withstand crashes at speeds of 85 to 90 miles per hour."

The Crown Victoria meets current government safety standards, with crash testing at 50 miles per hour.

Tuesday's Free Press story noted that some crashes at lower speeds resulted in gas tank punctures, although not all of those incidents were fatal.

Ford has no plans to make modifications to the Crown Victoria police vehicle, Kinley said.

"We have had dozens of meetings across the country," Kinley said. "We addressed their concerns."

Ford faces a number of lawsuits around the country related to fatal police vehicle crashes.

Hey Narc, watch out!

 
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Don't see too many crowns here in ontario... mostly see impalas and intrepids (both marked and unmarked)... watcha drive narc?

 
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Metro still uses the Crown Vics alot though (almost exclusively).